Summer Daze

Today as I wandered around Dutch Wonderland Park with my young kids, I couldn't help but wonder what happened to my summer and how do other parents of young children do it. How do they manage to parent in a respectable way and still have some semblance of sanity and "a life".
I wondered this as I watched parents of all shapes and sizes banter and play with their kids in the spurting water. Most seemed calm and relaxed and many looked proud of their kids as they steadied them on plastic whales for photo shoots and lots of failed attempts at a dignified pose.
If I looked really close, I might see the traces of weariness mingled with the fun of the moment. I think I saw this because, in my reflection, I saw it in myself.
One of the reasons why I am willing to drive to the other side of town in 90 degree heat even though I am exhausted is because I want my children to first of all, have many important experiences in their youth - experiences that will shape them and help them understand themselves and their world more clearly. I thought about this as I watched my three-year-old son become more bold in his play in the water and as I had to keep a watchful eye on my energetic 15 month old daughter who is fearless and who plunges into life with exuberance. I want them both to understand the dangers of life without risk.
This brings me to my second desire for my kids. I want to model for them the important ways we interact with our world and,especially with our families. I want to help them become bold and thoughtful, caring and responsible. As I see a wide range of humanity trying to answer the same questions that I pose to myself, I realize I am not alone in this quest for purpose and responsibility and that gives me hope. So, even when I am weary, I know this is important and it has been done countless times by millions of people for generations. Sometimes we fail miserably but we pick ourselves up and keep on going. Sometimes when our children do or say something truly remarkable, we can take a step backwards and remember those moments and the ways they help us know that what we are doing is important and meaningful.